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Ex-Hibs striker Rossi wins Slovakia deal

Released Hibs striker Gerard Rossi has won a contract with Slovakia's FC Neded.

Rossi, who missed out on a move to LA Galaxy because of Green Card problems, told The Herald: "They are approaching the mid season break in Slovakia, which runs from around November until January, and Trnava wanted me to wait and go back out then when I could play more friendly games.

"As I was about to leave, the manager from another club who had been at the trial match came over and offered me a contract to play for his club. It came totally out of the blue."

"Neded play in the third division but he said he wouldn't stand in my way if bigger clubs came in for me after I started playing for them.

"They made me feel really welcome which is important when you are only 19. They reckon I'll be the first Scottish footballer to have played in the Slovakian league."

Ferero Semetko's FC Neded, who are based around an hour's drive from Bratislava, regularly play in front of crowds of around four or five thousand.

Gerard added: "Almost everything is tied up - they have offered me an apartment and are sorting out all the entry requirements for the country. I am really looking forward to playing again.

"LA Galaxy would have been a dream move, but they wanted to put me in their development team which didn't meet with the Green Card requirements. There is still a door open for me in America, but I'll be happy in Slovakia until then."